Kudzu is a climbing vine that is native to China. It’s used as a natural remedy as part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine system. Kudzu’s botanical name is Pueraria lobata and it belongs to the Fabaceae family. In Chinese, kudzu is called Ge Gen.1
Kudzu can grow over 30 feet long. It produces
Kudzu Health Uses and Health Benefits
Kudzu health benefits are typically associated with the root part of the plant. Kudzu root contains important phytochemicals that can treat and prevent many chronic diseases. Kudzu contains quercetin, a type of flavonoid with antioxidant properties. Kudzu also contains other antioxidant phytochemicals including genistein and isoflavone compounds. 2
As a natural antioxidant, kudzu health benefits include being able to lower levels of chronic, low-grade inflammation. This is important because many of our modern day chronic diseases result from the ongoing stress associated with long-term and system-wide inflammation. 2
One of those most interesting kudzu health benefits is its natural ability to raise alcohol levels. This gives the person taking kudzu the effects of alcohol without actually consuming alcohol.2,3
Other kudzu health benefits include:
Kudzu uses include being a natural remedy for:
Kudzu Side Effects and Precautions
Kudzu side effects may include having a negative interaction with birth control pills. Kudzu side effects may also cause a sharp drop in blood pressure, which means people with diabetes should be cautious taking kudzu root.2
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